As Mattawan High School kicks off the 2014 prom season in the Kalamazoo area, here are 5 trends to watch

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Sequins and sparkles are still a prom gown staple, but many high school students are making some different choices this year when it comes to their attire for the big night, according to several sales consultants at Memories Bridal and Evening Wear in Kalamazoo.

Mattawan High School students will be the first in the area to show off their style as they kick off the local prom season Saturday at the Radisson Hotel Plaza & Suites. Kalamazoo Gazette
reporters and photographers will be there to capture the excitement, be
sure to check back to spot the trends in our photo galleries.

Here's what's flying off the racks this year:

Illusion necklines - One of the trends this year for girls is illusion necklines and backs, which entail a layer of light weight fabric, usually lace or tulle, attached to a strapless dress that extends from the bust to the collar creating a higher neckline, said Memories sales consultant Kate Riddell.

High-low hemlines- Another trend this year is the high-low hemline, said Memories sales consultant Alyson Lund. A dress that is shorter in the front and longer in the back is considered to have a high-low hemline.

Cut-outs- Many prom goers this year are opting for a little extra flair with a geometric cut-out style gown, said Memories sales consultant Kelsey Klug.

Jenna Fassbender, a senior at Mattawan High School, said last year her prom dress was very simple so this year she went with a cut-out style.

“It’s neon peach and it has slits in the back and diamonds on the right side,” Fassbender said. “It’s all one piece on the left side and as it goes to the right side it slowly shrinks down to three separate pieces.”

Scott Rhuland, store manager at Libins Menswear, said the young men who have come in looking for prom attire are for the most part still opting for a tuxedo, but one with modern twist.

Slim-fit - “All the newest looks this year are a lot trimmer than in the past,” Rhuland said. “The pants are slimmer and a little narrower at the bottom.”

Bow-ties – “Bowties are making a big comeback,” Rhuland said. “About four years ago it hardly was a bowtie and now it is every other one.”

Rhuland said common color choices among prom goers this year are lavender, purple and “mermaid” blue. Collin Schieman, a senior at Mattwan High School who is excited to attend his first prom, has opted for a periwinkle blue vest to match his date’s dress.

“I’m very excited,” Schieman said of prom. “I didn’t go to one last year and because of hockey, I haven’t been able to go to a lot of dances. It’s special because it’s the only prom I’ll be able to go to.”